649 12 August 2015 Week 2.indd

Transcription

The
Mercury Bay
Phone 07 866 2090
Issue 649 - 12 August 2015
PORTING
P
U
S
S
L
A
LOC
LOCALS
Jazz legend to coach
Mercury Bay Big band
Circulation 6,100
John Booker,
international bathtub
racing champion see page 17.
By Len Salt
Ask any jazz fan in New Zealand who is
the biggest name in big band music in the
country over the last 40 years and Rodger Fox
will be right up there at the top - legendary
trombonist, big band leader, mentor, teacher and
jazz promoter.
On 22 and 23 August he’s coming to
Whitianga on a special visit to run workshops
with our own Mercury Bay Big Band. So how
did this come about?
“We have a fabulous trumpet player, Kevin
Robinson, who joined the band recently,”
says band leader Helen Lee. “He was so excited
to find a big band had been created in such a
small community. Rodger is a personal friend,
so Kevin rang him and asked if he would come
and work with us over a weekend.”
Rodger already had strong Mercury Bay
connections. His brother is Thames Coromandel
District Councillor Tony Fox, himself an
accomplished touring trumpet player in his
younger days.
Gathering up a floating pool of around 13 or
more musicians, all with jobs in different places
and all on different time schedules, getting them
to rehearsals and performances all at the same
time is a monumental task for Helen.
The first challenge for her was finding
musicians of a high enough standard to make
the band viable. Helen found that there are
musicians hiding in Mercury Bay with the level
of musical training needed to play in a band at
this level and somehow managed to form them
into a cohesive and tight unit. “We’re a diverse
bunch of people, but I’ve been amazed by the
level of commitment,” she says. Most of the
band members have never missed a rehearsal
since we got together about a year ago and
everyone in the band has grown so much in their
abilities.”
Rodger and Tony Fox grew up in Titahi Bay,
Wellington, in a family steeped in musical
tradition. Mother Betty played and taught
piano and accompanied brass band players
in competitions. Father Louis played trumpet
and formed what is now the Porirua City
Brass Band.
Louis was Head of Music at Mana
College and formed a 70 strong school band,
which included brothers Rodger and Tony, as
well as other family members.
Rodger set up his own big band in 1973,
playing pubs and venues around Wellington as
well as national and international jazz festivals.
Forty years ago most towns had a big band
and there was a national circuit that a top band
could travel, gathering large audiences along the
way. In his career in music, both in New Zealand
and internationally, Rodger Fox has recorded 18
albums, won the New Zealand Jazz Recording
of the Year four times and became the first jazz
musician to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate
of Music from Massey University.
Over the last 12 months the Mercury Bay Big
Band has gone from strength to strength.
Helen Lee hopes that after the workshop
sessions with Rodger Fox they might be able to
arrange a public concert or performance at some
stage in the future that can be enjoyed by the
whole community. For now, the visit by this jazz
legend is a significant step towards building the
strength of the musical talent in Mercury Bay.
Some of the members of the Mercury Bay Big Band in action in the Mercury Bay Area School Hall during an evening with 2012 Masterchef winner
Chelsea Winter on Friday 19 June. From left to right - Helen Lee, Jani Dennis, Tabetha McHugh, Maarten Van Es, Steve Davis, Paul Lee, Leonardo Magri (on the drums),
Daniel Vickers, Paul Bradley, Bess Kingi, Hannah Trebes and Trevor Hildreth.
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Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz
Museum looking for help Young Ambassador Award
to be decided in Whitianga
to purchase painting
The Mercury Bay Museum would like to raise $4,200 to purchase maritime artist Paul Deacon’s painting
of HMS Buffalo in distress (pictured on display in the museum foyer).
“It would be fantastic to have such a piece of art work by an internationally acclaimed artist on display
for all time,” says Ron Morgan, curator of the museum. “The comments from many of the visitors to
Buffalo Week were that the Paul put realism into the history of the Buffalo. The saying that a picture
tells a thousand words is appropriate in portraying the events preceding the foundering of the ship.
“If the painting could be procured it would enhance our display on the Buffalo, adding to the memorabilia
already available at the museum.”
The museum would like to procure 84 donations of $50 each. In return donors would receive five free
museum passes, a copy of the museum’s booklet on the Buffalo and a print of the painting. Their
names will be published in The Informer and included in a donor board to be displayed at the museum.
They will also be invited to a cheese and wine evening where the painting will formally be unveiled.
If the target isn’t reached, all donations will be refunded. The Informer has committed to two donations
(totalling $100) to get the ball rolling. Anyone interested to make a donation can contact the museum
or The Informer.
The Mercury Bay Informer is published weekly on Wednesdays and distributed
throughout the Coromandel Peninsula.
Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome. Publication of
contributions are entirely at the discretion of the editor. Contributions will only
be considered for publication when accompanied by the author’s name and
surname, telephone number and residential address.
Opinions expressed (especially in letters) are not necessarily those of the owner
or publisher.
Owner - Mercury Bay Media Limited
Publisher - Petra Roodt
Editor - Stephan Bosman
Contributors - Len Salt, Gillian O’Neill, Meghan Hawkes and Jack Biddle
Ofﬁce - 14 Monk St, Whitianga 3510
Mail - PO Box 426, Whitianga 3542
Tel - (07) 866 2090, Fax - (07) 866 2092
Editorial - email info@theinformer.co.nz, tel (07) 866 2090
Advertising - email sales@theinformer.co.nz, tel (07) 866 2094
ISSN 2422-9083 (Print)
ISSN 2422-9091 (Online)
© 2015 Mercury Bay Media Limited
Please contact us if you live in the wider Mercury Bay area and would like to
have a copy of The Mercury Bay Informer delivered to your lettterbox.
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Page 2
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This Sunday 16 August, seven students from around the Thames Valley region will battle it out at the
Mercury Bay Bowling Club in Cook Drive for the Lions’ local district Young Ambassador Award.
The event is held every year and this year the Whitianga Lions are the hosts. Kevin Robinson (pictured),
organiser and secretary of the Whitianga Lions, says the Young Ambassador Award is part of a range of
programmes developed within the Lions to help talented young people to reach their full potential.
On Sunday the participants will address the audience on a topic of their choice and will also attend
an interview with three Whitianga-based judges - Isabel Lloyd (retired school teacher), Stacey Rolton
(owner of New World Whitianga) and Jenny Wolf (manager of Whitianga Social Services). Points will be
awarded for each participant’s speech, interview and a CV already submitted to the judges. The participant
with the most points will receive study assistance (in a variety of forms) to the value of $1,000 and will
also be given the opportunity to participate in the Lions’ national Young Ambassador Award.
Things will kick-off on Sunday at 11:00am. The guest speaker is John Gully, the founder of Youth for
Everest, an initiative exposing students to the Everest region of Nepal. Lunch will be served around midday
and the winner will be announced at 2:00pm.
The event is every year a highlight on the Lions’ calendar. To attend costs $10 (to cover the lunch). All are
welcome. Please let Kevin know beforehand at email kevie.lyn@gmail.com if you would like to attend.
High & Low Tides
for Mercury Bay and Hot Water Beach
DAY/
DATE
HIGH
AM
LOW
AM
HIGH
PM
LOW
PM
11:29
Wed 12
4:52
10:59
5:28
Thur 13
5:46
11:52
6:19
Fri 14
6:37
0:21
7:05
12:40
Sat 15
7:24
1:08
7:49
1:24
Sun 16
8:08
1:52
8:30
2:06
Mon 17
8:50
2:33
9:10
2:46
Tue 18
9:30
3:13
9:49
3:24
Tide data sponsored by
nzwindows.co.nz
4 Dakota Drive
Whitianga
Tel 07 869 5990
What’s that Number?
Emergency (Ambulance, Fire, Police) 24 hours ................................ 111
Police (Whitianga) ....................................................................866 4000
Police (Tairua) ...........................................................................864 8888
Police (Coromandel) .................................................................866 1190
Fight crime anonymously - Call Crime Stoppers ............... 0800 555 111
Dog and Noise Control ................................... ..........................868 0200
Dental Emergency (Mercury Bay) ............................................869 5500
Civil Defence ............................................................................868 0200
Medical Centre (Mercury Bay) ......................... ......................... 866 5911
Doctors Surgery (Mercury Bay) ....................... .........................866 4621
Medical Centre (Tairua) .............................................................864 8737
Harbour Master (Whitianga) ..............................................027 493 1379
Coastguard Radio Operators ....................................................866 2883
Social Services Whitianga .................. ......................................866 4476
The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz
Daffodil Day
celebrates 25 years
The timing of Mercury Bay Area School student Chelsea McFarlane’s “big chop” this week is almost
perfect with Daffodil Day coming up on Friday 28 August.
Chelsea is in Year 11 and has organised other students and teachers to get shaved (heads and beards)
with her during lunchtime on Wednesday 12 August in the Mercury Bay Area School hall. Her mother has
been undergoing cancer treatment and Chelsea wanted to raise some money to say thank you for the
support that the family has received from the Cancer Society of New Zealand.
Daffodil Day has been running for 25 years. The annual appeal involves thousands of volunteers and many
events across the country, culminating in a street collection on the last Friday of August.
“The Cancer Society receives no direct government funding, so we rely on the generosity of the community
to help us provide our services,” said Maria Low, spokesperson for the Cancer Society’s Waikato/Bay of
Plenty Division.
Ruth Young of the Mercury Bay Cancer Support Group says that residents of Mercury Bay and surrounds
have always been very generous in their support of Daffodil Day. “Collection stalls will this year be set
up in Whitianga at New World, Countdown, Four Square, The Warehouse and for the first time outside the
Cancer Support Group bookshop,in Blacksmith Lane.”
Collectors will also be out and about in Matarangi, Kuaotunu, Cooks Beach and Hahei.
To donate this Daffodil Day Look for the volunteer street collectors on Friday, August 28.
Text HOPE to 469 to donate $3.
Donate online at www.daffodilday.org.nz
To support Chelsea’s chop go to https://give.everydayhero.com/nz/chelsea-macfarlane-1.
All donations to Chelsea’s campaign go to the Waikato/BoP Division of the Cancer Society of New Zealand.
Pictured are Ruth Young (left) and Ann Mulcahy of the Mercury Bay Cancer Support Group outside the
Cancer Support Group bookshop in Whitianga.
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Page 3
Bonding between The Hulk and
Kermit the Frog
By Gillian O’Neill
James Bond fraternised with Marilyn Monroe,
Cat Woman chatted over a wine with GI Jane,
while The Hulk and Kermit the Frog clearly
had a lot to bond over.
It was a who’s who of the movie world
at the Tairua Community Hall on Saturday
night when the Tairua Playcentre hosted
“Tairuawood” - a night of glamour, hilarity and
some awesome fundraising for a great cause.
With Captain Jack Sparrow himself,
aka local chiropractor Gordon Winter,
running the show as MC for the evening, the
laughs just kept coming.
The colourful array of costumed characters
dined on a feast of roast lamb and chicken
before raising their glasses and their bidding
arms to claim some terrific bargains in in the
charity auction.
Snapped up on the night was an overnight
stay at Pacific Harbour Lodge in Tairua along
with dinner at Manaia Café. The men in the
crowd went into battle for the guy’s action pack
which included a spear gun, mask and snorkel
and fishing rod. Meanwhile the ladies pamper
package including hair vouchers, a massage
and a pharmacy gift basket was also popular.
The quiz provided the opportunity for some
friendly competition with Studio City up
against Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Strip
to name just a few of the aptly themed tables
that added to the occasion. Local musicians
Adam Fuller and Aaron Dunn provided the
entertainment on a fun-filled night.
“I think everyone had a really good time.
It was a lot of hard work and I do want to
thank all our local businesses for the generous
support they gave us. Almost everything was
donated, from the food to the prizes. It just
would not have been possible for us to do this
without them,” said Playcentre co-president,
Jill Winter.
For the growing organisation, Tairuawood
was also the perfect stage to connect with
members of the community. “It was wonderful
for us to meet so many people from Tairua and
I guess to give them the opportunity to get to
know some of the faces behind Playcentre.
One of our goals is to connect more with other
sectors of the community. For example, we’ve
had Room 1 and Room 3 students from Tairua
Club is open daily.
Restaurant is open
Wed-Sun for Lunch,
Thu-Sat for Dinner.
school come to visit and spend time with us
recently, which has been great,” said Jill.
The Playcentre has recently expanded its roll
and now has 27 children attending.
“It is very popular at the moment and the
money raised from this event will go towards
new equipment and resources for the children
Andy and Angela Gilbert along with Ann and Brendan Finn were among the
colourful cast of movie characters at the Tairua Playcentre's “Tairuawood” fundraiser.
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friendships, relationships and jealousies in the complex world of Manhattan’s Upper East Side society. You know you love it. XOXO!
Starring Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Chase Crawford and Ed Westwick. This is the perfect guilty pleasure viewing. A wonderful
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Page 4
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Page 5
Open all day from
12 noon
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
________________
Meeting on helping
Nepal this Sunday
Open from 5:00pm
Wednesday and Thursday
________________
Closed
Monday and Tuesday
The devastating earthquakes in Nepal earlier this year left a lasting impression on a number of Mercury
Bay locals - adults and students (pictured) who visited the Everest region of the mountainous country in
April (having returned to New Zealand only a few days prior to the first earthquake).
Among them was Richard Vetter, owner of Peninsula Roofing and Scaffolding. When he became aware
that John Gully, the owner of Everest Treks - a company specialising in walking adventures in the Everest
region, was busy putting groups of people together to travel to the village of Khunde in Nepal in April
and May next year to rebuild the village’s communal centre, he was happy to put his hand up to help.
The communal centre was severely damaged in the earthquakes.
Richard has also promoted the cause at the recent Roofing Association of New Zealand conference in
Wellington, where 12 of his industry colleagues indicated that they are either keen to go to Nepal or
support the project in another way.
Locally a number of people have indicated to Richard that they would also like to support the cause.
John Gully is this weekend in Whitianga (see the feature on the Lions’ Young Ambassador Award on page
2 of this issue of The Informer). All those interested in the project are invited to a meeting with Richard
and John on Sunday 16 August at 3:00pm at the Peninsula Roofing and Scaffolding premises on South
Highway in Moewai Park, Whitianga.
“For me, Nepal was a life-changing experience,” says Richard. “I have no doubt the country and its people
will make a profound impact on everyone who chooses to become involved in the Khunde Communal
Centre rebuild. I would like to encourage as many people as possible to come and listen to what John has
to say on Sunday.”
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Hot Water Beach
Hot Waves is taking a break
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As always open 8:30am – 4:00pm
New quiz night Thursday 3 September.
For bookings phone 866 3887
Page 6
with Stuart Brown - Whitianga Coastguard President
Page 7
People’s Choice award
for Pinky’s
WHITIANGA PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC
Robert Lindsay Dip Phty(Otago) ADP(OMT), Dip.MT.
Co-author of ‘Treat Your Own Shoulder’
and Associates
Crystal Vause BHScPhysiotherapy
Manipulation / Back and Neck Pain / Work Injuries
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Acupuncture / Hand Therapy / Women’s Health Clinic
Physiotherapists with the qualifications to provide
excellence in physical health care
Dr Adam’s and Hemmes’s Surgery - Ph 866 4621
In a season of Mercury Bay businesses often winning accolades, Pinky’s in Lee Street, Whitianga took
away the People’s Choice award at the Central North Island Top Shop Awards of Retail NZ that were
announced on Thursday last week.
“I want to congratulate all the finalists and winners, but especially Pinky’s Bargains of Whitianga,
which won the People’s Choice award, receiving the most votes from the public through an app and the
Retail NZ website,” said Retail NZ Chief Executive Mark Johnston at the awards ceremony. “I want to
offer them special congratulations for being much loved by customers and providing a fantastic shopping
experience.”
Pinky’s is a hands-on family business, sometimes described as “industrial chic.” It’s owned and operated
by Geith and Shirley Pickford and their son Chris and his wife Kylie. Shirley and Chris made the trip to
Hamilton to attend the awards ceremony.
Back home in Whitianga, staying behind with Geith and Kylie, Alley Cat (the real boss) managed to sleep
the whole time the ceremony was on. In fact, he didn’t even make it away from his comfortable spot on
the office chair, which he claimed 18 months ago after wandering in off the street and announcing in no
“unpurrtain” terms that he was living there now.
So, if it seems like the Pickford family is giving away extra smiles when you see them this week, like a
clowder of cats who have scored a large saucer of cream, it’s because of the well-deserved recognition
received from their customers and the Mercury Bay public.
Pictured are the Pickford family, from left to right - Kylie, Chris, Geith, Alley Cat and Shirley.
Thumbs
Up
To Chris
Rendle and
Val Elgie of the
Mercury Bay
Community Radiology
and Health Trust and
the group of people
who arranged for an
ultrasound scanner to be
installed in Whitianga.
Page 8
To the Editor
See page 2 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
Dear Editor - The Informer Website
We’ve had a bach at Opito Bay for quite a few years now. I’ve bookmarked in my calendar to read
The Mercury Bay Informer each Monday over lunch.
It’s a great way to keep in touch with what’s going on in the area. Many thanks for offering your
excellent on-line service.
Peter Robinson
Hamilton
Dear Editor - The Tairua Marina
The Tairua Marina is in. All the petty acrimonious battles are done and look what we have in
Tairua. A wonderful addition for boaties and visitors alike. Not only a well-constructed,
but visually appealing, addition to the waterfront.
Many locals and visitors enjoy a leisurely stroll along the marina to enjoy the moored boats
and the bird life that has found a place in it, on it, and around it. Craig Watts, the developer,
and his team have also given Tairua harbour some wonderful safe sandy beaches. The addition of
white sand along the foreshore has enhanced the harbour and allowed a much better experience for
all, while small boat owners now have a decent launch ramp beside the marina wall. This has meant
much fewer vehicles getting stuck in the sand along Paku.
We as Tairua residents owe a great deal to Mr Wattts and his team, who have pursued this dream
over many years. Work is still continuing in the area, the new developments should further enhance
the area and bring some life back to this small town.
JP Hewitt
Tairua
Dear Editor - Buffalo Week
The recent commemoration of 175 years since HMS Buffalo was wrecked off Whitianga was
without parallel in New Zealand, thanks entirely to Ron Morgan and his team at the Mercury Bay
Museum, who did an extremely commendable job of coordinating it.
With the representation of both the British and Canadian High Commissions at the event,
there was cemented in place an enduring relationship between our three countries based on
a shared history - valuable when it comes to international relations. What comes foremost
to my mind in this respect are the events surrounding the Rebellion of Upper Canada in 1837,
which resulted in my relative, Samuel Lount, being hung (for I am a dual Canadian-NZ citizen) and
many of the rebels being transported on the Buffalo to Australia before it came on to Whitianga
where it was wrecked.
Before the decade was finished, the repercussions of the rebellion reverberated throughout
the British Empire to the great benefit of all her colonies by improving both the standard of
administration and representation.
These sorts of bonds between countries are invaluable, as are the bonds that have developed
between descendants of Ngati Hei, members of the crew of HMS Buffalo, especially those crewmen
who chose to stay behind rather than return to England, the Royal New Zealand Navy and the
population of the eastern seaboard of the Coromandel Peninsula.
There is a lot more of the story surrounding the ship and its crew yet to be researched and made
known, but what is known already is sufficient to think that Whitianga has a valuable piece of
historical real estate that it can leverage for its visitor industry as long as it harnesses the right
people and has the support of the community, which, if the recent few days is anything to go by,
it already has been demonstrated to have.
Added to the Buffalo potential, there is just around the corner commemorations around the
Buffalo’s replacement vessel, HMS Tortoise, and after that HMS Endeavour.
An amazing few days for which my profound thanks to be invited to be part of.
Don Armitage
Whangarei
Dear Editor - Last Week’s Informer
Thanks for last week’s Informer. Lots of very good stories to read. Very interesting.
Keep it up!
Annemarie Apers
Whitianga
Dear Editor - Privilege by Birth
Is privilege by birth part of our democracy?
In the far past, people who had won authority, wanted their children to enjoy the power and
wealth that being a chief or king brought them.
Religion supported the idea that a person was superior to others because of the family they were
born into. This kept the rank and file in their subservient position.
Do our leaders support our wishes or do they support an elite? Each succeeding family of leaders
increases their wealth and imposes their will on dissidents. Laws are made to protect them and when
one messes up, society as a whole pays the cost.
Privilege by birth is within our multi-cultural nation despite lip service to fairness and equality.
During last year’s “Meet the Candidates” meeting in Whitianga before the general election, a
number of the candidates said they supported privilege by birth and thus the Maori parliamentary
seats. Without mandate, Maori seats have been established in local government.
So, is “Jack as good as his master,” or are we still subservient to royalty?
The Treaty of Waitangi guaranteed equality of citizenship for all, albeit British at the time. If this
has been corrupted, then perhaps the American example of “no taxation without representation” has
a place.
I note the deer old Queen was born to her position and uses her considerable inherited wealth to
support her extended family. She is supported by us and thus “rules” us.
Do we want to be a republic?
Peter Wood
Whitianga
Page 9
Youth Group Leadership
Day at Fun Zone
By Gillian O’Neill
• Inspection Drilling
• Cone Penetrometer Tests
• Ground Anchoring
• Foundations - Excavations
• Drilling - Piling
• Retaining Walls - Digger Hire
For more
information and
photo’s visit our
website
Website www.testdrill.co.nz
Email testdrillnz@xtra.co.nz
Mike 0274 720 882
Ph/Fax 07 866 4643
Twenty-three enthusiastic young people
stepped up to showcase their appetite for
adventure, resilience and teamwork during
the Tairua Youth Group’s first ever Leadership
Day the end of last month.
With the assistance of funding from
Thames Coromandel District Council’s Youth
Initiative, the group of 11 - 15 year olds spent
the morning taking on a variety of challenges
at Whitianga’s Fun Zone. This was followed
by a specially designed leadership and
teambuilding programme hosted by Paula
Dewar from the Waikato Institute for Leisure
and Sports Studies.
The day was aimed at helping members of
the Tairua Youth Group develop the necessary
skills to take a more hands-on role in the
running of the group.
“We’ve been going for just over a year
now. To date, the process has been for the
kids to identify what they would like to do
and achieve and the adult facilitators then try
and deliver on that in so far as is practical.
The next stage for the group is for some of
those young people to step up to take on that
organisation and implementation role and
we definitely saw some of those individuals
starting to emerge during the Leadership
Day,” said Marg Chick, one of the founding
parents of the group.
During their Fun Zone visit, the participants
worked in groups of four to challenge each
other at laser tag, soccer golf and archery.
They also enjoyed the excitement of an offroad Argo ride.
“It was a fantastic day and it actually
surpassed my expectations. Every single
one of the children got involved, worked
hard and really enjoyed themselves.
Certain individuals really stepped up and
took charge, while others you could visibly
see coming out of their shell. Every single
person got something out of it and I am
certain we are well on our way to finding our
future group leaders,” said Marg.
Currently the Youth Group meets once
a month for a planned activity. However,
the next goal is to have the rooms where they
meet open at least once every two weeks to
provide a meeting place for the young people.
“We do need more parents to get involved
in order to make that happen. We had great
parent help and support on Leadership Day,
so hopefully working with the group and
seeing the benefit for the kids will encourage
more people to help out on an ongoing basis,”
Marg added.
Marg also paid tribute to the staff at Fun
Zone who were “outstanding” on the day in
terms of their communication with all the
participants.
Whitianga
07 866 0070
• Spouting
• Roofing
• Water treatments systems
• Septic tanks
• Hot Water cylinders
• New Housing
• Alterations
• General Maintenance
• Solar water heating
• All LPG gas installation
The competition was fierce as was the fun for the young and not quite so young
participants in the Tairua Youth Group Leadership Day the end of last month.
PLASTERCOAT
Page 10
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Minister’s brief
Whitianga visit
Local builders
claim gold
Two Mercury Bay-based building companies received gold awards at the Auckland/Northland region of
the Registered Master Builders’ House of the Year ceremony in Auckland last Saturday evening.
In addition to a gold award, Percival Construction was announced the overall winner in the Mitre 10
Renovation $250,000 - $500,000 category. The company received the award for the renovation of a
1970’s Lockwood bach at Whangapoua.
Damian Percival, director of Percival Construction, said, “This project was a great one to be involved in.
It really was a team effort and we were fortunate to have great clients to work with. We were pushing
to get them in by Christmas last year and our sub-contractors really stepped up and helped us achieve
this, while maintaining a high standard of finish.”
Ohlson and Whitelaw received a gold award for a house in Pukekohe that was entered in the Nulook
New Homes $650,000 - $1 million category. Kelly Ohlson, one of the owners of the company, said they
have a very good team and that is reflected in both the work they do and their gold award.
Pictured is the Percival Construction team on stage on Saturday night receiving their award. From left
to right - Mark De Leeuw, Nick Topp (owner of the Whangapoua bach), Tony Perkins, Rob Evans and
Damian Percival.
Michael Woodhouse, Minister of Police, Immigration and Workplace Relations and Safety, paid a brief visit
to Whitianga on Wednesday last week to discuss with local business and community leaders the potential
for increased growth in the Mercury Bay tourism industry. “The government is looking at measures aimed
at encouraging offshore investors to look outside of the main centres for opportunities,” Mr Woodhouse
said. “The development of resort accommodation in the Mercury Bay area is an example of something that
may benefit from such measures.”
In a brief interview with The Informer, Mr Woodhouse said that it’s well known that Chinese and Asian
tourist numbers to New Zealand are increasing and it’s a market Mercury Bay is ideally positioned to take
advantage of with its unique coastline and natural beauty. “Traditionally these travellers have been more
likely to visit on organised group tours,” he said. “That means having the hotel and resort facilities to cater
for the group tours.
“Local councils also have to be ready for the potential opportunities and have to become pro-active about
pursuing them. Infrastructure such as Ultra Fast Broadband can make destinations like Mercury Bay and
the surrounding areas more attractive to offshore investors.”
Switching to his role as Police Minister, Mr Woodhouse was upbeat about resourcing the Police frontline
with better technology. “The provision of iPads and iPhones has saved huge amounts of administration
time,” he said. “Police can now file reports directly into the system from a scene, rather than spending
hours behind a computer back at the office. This means more time and resources out on the street where
and when we need them.”
Pictured is Mr Woodhouse (on the left) on Wednesday last week with Thames Coromandel District Council
Mayor Glenn Leach (centre) and Coromandel Member of Parliament Scott Simpson.
Page 11
The St John Siren
Sponsored by Mercury Bay Pharmacy Tel 866 4532
Mid-winter has been a relatively busy period
for the Ambulance Service in Whitianga.
We have responded to 79 call-outs for the
month of July, which is an increase of 25 over
the same month last year.
We utilised our friends at the Auckland
and Coromandel Rescue Helicopter on four
occasions during the month, enabling rapid
transport to hospital. There have been other
responses by ambulances from other stations,
which are not included in this total. For the
calendar year to date we have responded to 581
incidents, which is an increase of 86 over the
same seven months last year.
On 27 July we responded to eight callouts in a four hour period. Both of our
ambulances at Whitianga were busy,
fully crewed with volunteer and paid
officers. Our communication centre in
Auckland priorities calls, so whilst Whitianga
were dealing with the higher acuity calls,
other ambulances were brought in from
Coromandel and Tairua to assist with the
workload.
The night of the 28th was also busy, on this
occasion both of the ambulances at Whitianga
were able to cope with the workload.
The increased workload is all good as
hopefully the community is starting to use the
ambulance service as it is supposed to be used
as part of the integrated health system. Believe
me when I say that we would much prefer that
we were called earlier rather than later when
circumstances may have become serious.
Hopefully it is also a sign of confidence that
the community recognises that the ambulance
service will make the right decisions regarding
a patient’s care. That being - treat and leave at
home, treat and leave at home with a referral to
the doctor, treat and transport to the doctor or
transport to a hospital. Long gone are the days
where calling an ambulance invariably meant a
trip across the hill to Thames.
OK, now to something more important,
we’re going to talk about something close
to all our hearts, yip, you got it... our heart.
LISTEN UP FOLKS, THIS IS IMPORTANT.
Over the next couple of months the aim is to
publish a series of articles that hopefully will
increase all our awareness of our hearts and
HEART ATTACKS.
Let’s start at the beginning. Just how does
our heart work?
Your heart is a powerful muscle that pumps
blood around your body through a network of
blood vessels, arteries and veins. Arteries carry
blood away from the heart and veins bring
blood back towards the heart. Blood delivers
oxygen and food to your muscles and vital
organs in your body and then taking waste
products away, allowing you to do all the
things you do in everyday life.
Your
heart
has
four
chambers.
These chambers are like rooms, each chamber
has a valve that opens and closes like a gate
to make sure that blood can only travel in
one direction, like a one-way traffic system.
The top two chambers are called “atria” and the
bottom two chambers are called “ventricles.”
The right side of the heart is separated from
the left side by a thick wall of muscle running
down the centre called the “septum.”
The right side of the heart pumps blood to
the lungs and the left side of the heart pumps
blood around the body. Yip, that’s the whole
body, from your head to your big toe. So the
left side of the heart has a lot of work to do and
to do this the left ventricle has thicker muscle,
which allows it to pump blood out with
extra force.
Did you know that your heart pumps around
70ml of blood with each heart beat and that
equates to around 4 - 6l of blood every minute?
That’s around the total blood volume in our
body being pumped around every minute.
AMAZING!
Being the hard working muscle that it is,
your heart also needs a good fuel supply. It
gets the oxygen and food it needs through its
own blood vessel network called the coronary
arteries.
To quote a phrase from Helen ThompsonCarter, “Everything is dependent on my heart,
mechanically, electrically, physiologically,
emotionally and passionately. Whatever
happens it all comes back to how well you
heart performs in all areas.”
WHAT IS A HEART ATTACK? A heart
attack happens when blood stops flowing to
part of your heart muscle through the coronary
arteries. One of your heart’s coronary arteries
suddenly becomes blocked by a blood clot,
causing a lack of the blood supply that carries
oxygen to the heart muscle downstream from
the blockage. Remember that muscles need
oxygen and food to perform. If the blood flow
isn’t restored quickly, this part of the heart
muscle starts to die.
Coronary heart disease, also known as
Coronary artery disease, is often the cause of
a heart attack.
Coronary heart disease is when fatty plaque
builds up inside the walls of the coronary
arteries. Over many years this plaque gets
thicker and hardens, making the artery
narrower, stiffer and less smooth, this is known
as atherosclerosis.
So how does a clot form? When we injure
ourselves, no matter where in our body,
red blood cells will stick together (clot). This is
to stop you from bleeding too much. However,
if injury occurs within a coronary artery,
the blood forms a clot which can lead to a
heart attack.
A blood clot will form in a coronary artery
when plaque tears or cracks. If the artery is
already narrow because of a build-up of plaque,
the clot may block your artery completely.
It is not known why some plaques suddenly
tear or crack, while others can cause no trouble
for many years.
As we’ve mentioned above, if the blockage
isn’t treated quickly, the portion of the heart
muscle fed by the blocked artery begins to die.
This article is written with the assistance
of material available on the Heart Foundation
website. I hope that this has been interesting.
More next month.
CHEST PAIN LASTING MORE THAN TWO
MINUTES… DIAL 111 AMBULANCE.
Mike Burrows,
St John Whitianga
Station Manager
Kitchens Bathrooms WardroBes Furniture shopFitting Custom Renovations or neW Builds
17 Coghill Street, Whitianga. Phone 07 866 4513,
tony@dimax.co.nz. www.dimax.co.nz
THE GLASS HOUSE
EMPORIUM
25 Albert Street, Whitianga Phone 866 4817
Open 7 days.
Page 12
Whitianga’s originally
owned and operated
variety store
Club 100 a hit
The young man and the
sea (and the magazine)
When Te Rerenga School teacher Fiona Watts (pictured) started to develop numeracy projects for her
students some years ago, something interesting happened. The students not only liked the idea, but as
they got better at doing the projects, they started asking for more.
So, Fiona carried on developing the concept of short maths quizzes, between three and six minutes long,
which worked as a kind of skills warm-up before each of her maths lesson started. She called it Club 100
and the quizzes were staged at different levels - from 10, then 20 and 30 through to the top level of 100
which gave the idea its name.
When she started the concept, Fiona was teaching in the Manawatu and over the following eight years she
began to have more and more teachers asking for copies of the resource that they could use with their
own classes. After much prompting from friends and colleagues, Fiona was convinced to submit her Club
100 concept to educational publisher Essential Resources.
Within the last couple of weeks the newly published Club 100 book has become available to teachers
in schools all across New Zealand and Fiona has just received her first printed copy. It’s a very proud
moment for her and a vindication of the effectiveness of this unique programme.
“The real reward for me is when I see one of the students get through a level that they have been working
hard on and the rest of the class break into spontaneous applause for that young person’s achievement,”
says Fiona.
Rolla-Tilta-Sectional
and custom made doors
Garages
Automatic Openers
Houses
We service all
makes and models
5 Year warranty on all
new doors and openers
To say that 9-year-old Charlie Kemp is “hooked” on fishing would be an understatement. Chances are
he’ll be called the “Kingfish King” before long, since he caught his first one when he was only about
five and at least 10 since.
Charlie, in Year 5 at Mercury Bay Area School, was pretty excited about his experiences with dad
and his mates, so he wrote a firsthand account of his first kingfish and sent it off to the New Zealand
Fishing News magazine.
They were so impressed that they published his whole story in their August issue. And it’s fair to say
that Charlie knows his stuff, since he was able to give all the details of the gear used, the type and
weight of trace, the rod and reel and how it was set up. He also gave a blow by blow account of finding
and catching the mackerel for live bait, right through to landing a kingfish so big that Charlie couldn’t
lift it onto the filleting table. “I was too tired from the fight,” he said. “Normally we put the kingfish
back, but sometimes we keep one for dinner.”
There might be a few different career options open to this enthusiastic young angler, professional
fisherman being one of them - or maybe journalist, but in the meantime it’s back to school until the
next weekend out on the boat.
Pictured is Charlie proudly showing his story in the New Zealand Fishing News.
Sleepouts
Your design or ours
Licensed building practitioners
All concrete work
Ph 07 866 5544 or 027 493 2691 71a Cook Drive, Whitianga
www.hoylandcontracting.co.nz
platinumhomes.co.nz
07 869 5149
Rob Duxfield 027 4467 961
Tile & Grout restoration work
including cleaning, repair work
Grout clear/colour sealing,
re-colouring silicone work
Shower glass/glass cleaning/treatment
Phone/txt Jack 021 775 118
Page 13
What’s On the next few weeks
Sponsored by Dive Zone Whitianga Tel (07) 867 1580
MERCURY BAY POOLS LTD
Concrete
Swimming Pool Builders
• Design and build new pools
• Renovations of existing pools
• Pool covers, auto or manual
• Quality portable spa pools
Contact Peter Thomas
M: 0274 806 288
A/h 07 866 4358
www.mercurybaypools.co.nz
• Kitchens
• Laundries
• Vanities
• Walk in robes
• Splash backs • Media Units
Contact Carol Harker: 866 4111 or 027 22 66 289
www.kitchensoncoromandel.co.nz
THE GLASS HOUSE
EMPORIUM
25 Albert Street, Whitianga Phone 866 4817
Open 7 days.
Page 14
Op-Shops
Social Services Op-Shops - 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm and Coghill Street
(west of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00am - 1:00pm.
The Church Op-Shop, at St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Open Thursday to
Saturday 8:30am - 12:30pm.
St John Opportunity Shop, Coghill Street (east of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Monday to Saturday,
10:00am - 4:00pm. Phone 869 5416.
Justice of the Peace
Every Monday 10:00am - 12:00 noon at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive. Phone 866 4476 for more information.
Free Budget Advice
Confidential and no pressure. Phone Whitianga Social Services on 866 4476 for more information.
Free Community Meals
At St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, Albert Street, Whitianga. Phone St Andrews on 867 1102 or email
mjpetersen@xtra.co.nz for more information.
Mercury Bay Community Bus
Available for transport to hospital, specialist or health related appointments outside of the Whitianga area.
Phone 866 4993 for information and bookings.
“Whitianga Movers and Losers” (the Old WW’s)
Wednesdays 5:00pm - 6:00pm at St Peters Anglican Church, Dundas St, Whitianga. $2 donation (to cover cost
of room rent). We promote a slow, steady weight loss based on eating well, nourishing foods and moving more towards maintaining our our ideal weight and optimal health. New members always welcome.
Whitianga Senior Citizens Club
Meet Mondays in the Whitianga Town Hall, 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Bowls, scrabble, card games, housie etc. Afternoon tea,
55 plus age group. Phone Lance Hayson (president) on 866 5817 for more information.
Road Cycling and Mountain Biking
Road cycling meet every Saturday at 8:00am at the Fire Station intersection, Whitianga. Phone Bryan on
022 155 8944 for more information. Mountain biking meet every Tuesday at 5:15pm and every Saturday at 7:30am at
the Fire Station intersection, Whitianga. Phone Paul on 021 605 230 for more information.
Social Cycling Group
Meet every Sunday at Taylor’s Mistake, Whitianga. Short 45 minute cycle and coffee. Phone Bryan on
022 155 8944 for more information.
Mercury Bay Indoor Bowling Club
Thursday evenings at 6:45pm in the Whitianga Town Hall. New members and visitors welcome. Just come along or phone
Doreen on (07) 866 5237 or Alan on (07) 866 4024 for more information.
SeniorNet Whitianga Incorporated
Classes held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at various times. We give older adults an opportunity to demistify their
computers and to learn more about new communications and information technology. Contact Lorna Russell on
866 4215 for more information or to join.
Whitianga Probus Club
Meet on the fourth Monday of every month at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, 92 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Friendly club for
seniors. Visitors welcome. Phone Des Robinson on (07) 866 0960 for more information.
Social Darts
Every Tuesday at 7:30pm at the Mercury Bay Club. Contact Pauline Curtain at paulinecurtain@msn.com for
more information.
Mercury Bay Table Tennis
Every Tuesday 9:30am - 11:30am at the Whitianga Town Hall. All welcome. Phone Pat or Neville on 867 1447 for
more information.
Mercury Bay Badminton
Every Wednesday 9:30am - 11:00am at the Whitianga Town Hall. All welcome. Phone Diane on 027 246 1915 for
more information.
Bridge Clubs
Mercury Bay Contract Bridge Club meets every Wednesday. Hahei Bridge Club meets every Tuesday. Phone Anne Knowles
on 866 5686 for more information.
St John Cadets
Meet every Monday from 6:30pm - 7:30pm at the St John Ambulance Station, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Phone Beth on
(07) 869 5294 or (021) 241 9757 for more information.
Free Anger Management Counselling Sessions
For men - Every Wednesday afternoon. Phone Whitianga Social Services on 866 4476 for more information.
For women - Every Tuesday morning. Phone Whitianga Social Services on 866 4476 for more information.
Operation Cover-Up
Meet the last Wednesday of every month at Whitianga Social Services from 1:30pm - 3:30pm. An initiative knitting
clothing for Missions without Borders in the Ukraine and Moldova. Phone Brenda on 866 5814 for more information.
Whitianga Social Services Youth Space
Corner of Bryce Street and Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Wednesday - Fridays after school. Phone 866 4476 for
more information.
Whitianga Art Group
Meet every Thursday and Friday at the Art Centre in School Road, Whitianga. New members welcome.
Phone Rose on 022 139 2968 or Maryanne on 866 4099 for more information.
Mahindra Goldrush Rally of Coromandel
Street party and ceremonial start on Friday 21 August in Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga. From 3:00pm. Food stalls,
live entertainment, roving artists and fun contests, including drag racing, quad bike racing and supermarket trolley racing.
Official rally on Saturday 22 August around Mercury Bay. Two super stages (at 2:08pm and 3:20pm) down Joan Gaskell
Drive, Whitianga. Servicing and refuelling at the Mercury Bay Multisport Park (at 8:17am, 11:00am and 1:33pm). For
more information see The Mercury Bay Informer Events Guide Winter/Spring 2015 and www.theinformer.co.nz.
Murder on the Dance Floor - by the Tairua Troubadours
Homegrown entertainment at its very best. EFriday 21 - Sunday 23 August and Thursday 27 - Saturday 29 August.
Tickets $20 per person. Phone the Tairua Information Centre on (07) 864 7525 for more information.
Weekly Church Services
Mercury Bay Co-operating Parish
St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, 9:30am every Sunday worship service and kids friendly Bible sessions with
Rev Mary Petersen, Albert St, Whitianga.
Anglican Services
St Peter the Fisherman, 9:30am Sunday services. All are welcome, Dundas St, Whitianga.
Crossroad Encounter Fellowship
10:00am Sundays, cnr Joan Gaskell Drive and Cook Drive, Whitianga.
St Patrick’s Catholic Church
Weekend Mass Saturday 5:30pm and Sunday 8.30am, Monday - Friday 9:00am (except Tuesday no Mass, Wednesday
12:00 noon). Tairua Sunday 10:30am, Tuesday 9:00am, tel 866 2189.
Whitianga Baptist Church
10:00am every Sunday, children’s programme, 112 Cook Drive, Whitianga, tel
866 4027.
C3 Whitianga
10:30am every Sunday, children’s programme, 23 Coghill St, Whitianga,
email info@c3whitianga.org.nz.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)
Meet on Sundays 10:00am - 11:30am at the Whitianga Town Hall.
Children’s programme. Phone 021 277 2126 for more information.
Seventh Day Adventists
Home study group. Phone Laurie/Lois on 866 2808 for more information.
Always supporting
the local community
KSAR Column
with Steve Hart
Training has been the key focus of our
members over the past month, putting a few
lessons into practise that were taken on board
after two recent search operation debriefs.
Kuaotunu Land Search and Rescue strives
to ensure every search operation is locally
debriefed within the group so that we can
improve anything that didn’t go exactly
according to plan.
We had an interesting training session that
was based on teamwork and improving search
teams’ knowledge of the extensive array
of equipment kept in our equipment trailer.
The trailer includes all the fundamental
equipment that would support a search
operation in a remote location, including
communications,
management
and
supporting search teams with safety gear,
tracking, navigation VHF radios and food/
refreshments.
Teams were tasked to set up and then
dismantle the VHF repeater and then pack
a 24 hour kit solely from gear in the trailer.
Next they had a short time to ensure they had
equipment and food to cook a two course
meal in a remote location. We then moved
to Buffalo Beach Reserve and had a KSAR
cook-off using only the food and equipment
on site where the teams had to cook for the
other team a main and soup, including a
gluten free and vegetarian option (the twist).
It was a fun training session with the teams
providing interesting and inventive food
with very limited supplies. We enjoyed our
dinner on the reserve in a light drissle on a
very cold night.
We recently hosted Land SAR members
from our own unit, Tairua/Pauanui, Waihi,
Thames, Hamilton and Hawkes Bay at a two
day “Tracking in the Wilderness” course at
the Riverglen Holiday Park near Coroglen.
The location and venue was ideal for this type
KSAR members in their cook-off last month at Buffalo Beach Reserve in Whitianga.
of training exercise and involved learning
extensive tracking skills provided by tutors
from Tai Poutini Polytechnic.
Despite an incredibly wet and cold front
moving through during the course, the KSAR
members reported that the training was
invaluable.
KSAR members provided the catering
for the course with assistance from Love
It Bakery and The Coroglen Tavern.
We are planning to host more of these courses
which bring more visitors to our area with
spin offs to local businesses.
Plans for our new base next to the
Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust hangar
is gaining momentum with a project manager
appointed to help take us through the
planning, consent and construction stage.
Its been encouraging to see tradesmen
starting to come on board and more donations
added to the $20,000 kick start that KSAR
provided from fundraising. The donation of
$2,800 to KSAR from those who attended the
Evening with Ian Jones at the Blue Lagoon
organised by the Informer was a really
generous effort and appreciated by the entire
KSAR membership.
Marshaling at the Mahindra Goldrush
Rally of Coromandel is our next fundraiser,
combining front row spots at this
exciting event.
Anyone wishing to donate to our
building project can do so by visiting
www.givealittle.co.nz/org/kuaotunusar
or
mail to PO Box 15 Whitianga 3542.
Stay safe.
B-ROW PROJECTS
P 020 404 31990
E browprojects@gmail.com
• Decks • Fences • Repairs
• Property maintenance
• Sleep out conversions • Minor alterations
Quick response time
Free quoting
All work considered
Call Bram 020 404 31990
Page 15
Light winds for Polar
Bear Series yacht race
By Wayne Wilton (famished crew member of Blue Print)
NZ
NZ WIDE REMOVALS
Local & NZ Wide
furniture movers
• 7 Day Service
• Weekly runs to
Auckland
• Free Quotes
• Friendly & Reliable
• Storage Available
Last Sunday's Race 6 of the Mercury Bay
Boating Club Polar Bear series saw a fleet of
nine yachts starting with very little wind.
The race was run with a “Mark Foy” start,
which means each boat is given a handicap
start time. This sees them all setting off
at different start times. Ideally, the yachts
should all be finishing at about the same time,
however, it wasn't to be.
The lack of wind and constant wind
direction changes found lots of boats in
“holes” and lots of “sail experiments”
being tried.
The front group sailed into a “hole” just off
Davis Point and the rear group caught right
up. The wind slowly strengthened and saw all
boats rounding Simpsons Buoy within three
to four minutes of each other.
On the leg across the Bay to Doctors Buoy,
the fleet spread out. Pterodactyl, JJ, and H2Go
flew their spinnakers, making the most of the
conditions. John Wright on Contrast also flew
his spinnaker to chase down the fleet.
The wind strengthened on the beat back to
Windy Buoy seeing all the boats putting in
lots of tacks.
Matt Algie on Blue Print almost had a
mutiny on board, as he had burnt the cheese
and raisin scones! The crew had to go hungry
until they arrived back at the clubrooms
where they were met with hot pies and toasted
sammies, thanks to Anne and Sandy.
Thanks to Sandy Wilton for starting the
race, her first Mark Foy start.
A special thanks to Chris Johnson and Matt
Algie for collating the handicaps.
Race Results Mike Phear and crew on JJ.
1st 2nd Paul Dimmock and crew on H2Go.
3rd Lee Boswell and crew on True Colors.
4th Max Ross and crew on Straight Shooter.
Carl Reinsfield and crew on 5th Pterodactyl.
Stu Crockhart and crew on 6th Kahurangi.
7th Matt Algie and starving mates on Blueprint.
8th
“The Crew” on Solvieg.
John Wright and Crew on Contrast.
9th Phone Josh
07 866 5589
027
256 6009
www.nzmoveit.co.nz
Picturesque - sailing in the sixth race of the Mercury Bay Boating Club
Polar Bear series last Sunday.
Carpet
Cleaning
Charlie Lodge
& Restoration
Residential Commercial Industrial
Carpet Cleaning & Restoration - Marine Carpet & Upholstery
Upholstery Cleaning - Stain Removal - Rug Cleaning
Vinyl Floor Restoration - Spot Dyeing - Odour Control
All work undertaken will be to the AS/NZ Standard
Institute of Inspection Cleaning
And Restoration Certification
T: 07 866 0075 M: 027 2806374
Page 16
Meet John Booker - Mercury Bay local and
international bathtub racing champion
Email message, “If you come, I’ll build you
a new boat, same as what my daughter has.
And she’s leading the circuit championship over
here.”
Reply message, “OK, let me think about
this… Yip, I thought about it, I’m coming.”
This is how Mercury Bay local John Booker
ended up participating in the 2015 “Great”
International World Championship Bathtub
Race in Nanaimo, Canada on Sunday 26 July
- about ten days after the email exchange above
between him and Canadian friend Jamie Garcia.
Last year was John’s first time participating
in the race, in a borrowed boat and with a
sponsored Volvo Penta Hidea engine. Not only
did he finish the gruelling 60km ocean race,
he finished in the top ten in the stock class
(meaning he raced with an unmodified engine).
“Jamie’s daughter, Deisy, is racing with the
engine I took to Canada last year,” John says.
“He was quite adamant that I would do well in
the big race in a new boat and a similar engine.
He actually didn’t leave me with much of
a choice.”
John immediately got hold of a new
Hidea engine and shipped it to Nainamo.
When he personally arrived at Jamie’s workshop
at 6:00pm the Wednesday before the race,
there was no time to settle in. “The boat had to
get finished,” John says. “That Wednesday night
we worked until 10:00pm and most of Thursday
and Friday too. Late on Friday we put some
silver fern decals Darren Hartley from Coastal
Signs made me on the boat. It looked awesome
and I felt very proud.”
Also on Friday John caught up with his
rescue boat crew, the same crew who helped
him last year. “It’s a requirement of the race
that each bathtub boat must have a rescue boat
accompanying it. I contacted my crew from last
year before I left New Zealand and they were
really keen to help out again.
John Booker (on the right) in the parade through Nanaimo the Saturday before the
“Great” International World Championship Bathtub Race.
“The course changed from last year and they
took me up the coast to have a look and discuss
the best way to run the race.”
The Saturday was occupied with a parade
through Nanaimo, last minute fiddling with the
boat, a required technical inspection and sea
trials. “And of course Saturday night I couldn’t
sleep,” John says. “Should I carry more fuel
in a bigger tank and be slower at the start,
or a smaller tank, less fuel and losing a bit
of time refuelling along the way? That was
the question.”
John opted for a bigger tank and on Sunday,
race day, it turned out to be the correct decision.
“I had a fantastic start,” he says. “In fact, I lost
my rescue boat. Fortunately they caught up with
me, otherwise I may have had to withdraw. I felt
like I was flying. I expected to race for about an
hour and a half. That can be very tough on your
legs, so I focused the last 20 minutes getting my
blood circulating again. Once you get to shore,
you have to get out of your boat, run across a bit
of beach, up a ramp and ring a bell. Only then
have you finished. Legs not happy to cooperate
can be a problem.
“My legs lasted just long enough. I ended up
ringing the bell on my knees.”
Afterwards John was hot property.
While talking to the local TV crew, Jamie
came by and told him he won the stock class.
And not only that, he did better than many of the
boats racing in the modified and super modified
classes. “And Deisy came second in the stock
class, pretty cool,” John says.
Looking towards next year, John says if you
win your class, there’s the expectation that you
move up a class. “I suspect I’m going to spend
a bit of time the next ten months or so working
out exactly what I have to do make both boat
and engine go faster. Who knows, I may just
give it a go in the super modified class.”
John Booker ringing the bell on his knees, not only finishing the “Great” International
World Championship Bathtub Race, but winning the stock class too.
AUGUST 2015 UPDATE
One of the great things we all enjoy at Whitianga Waterways is talking
to non-resident owners or visitors when they come into town. Many of
them just can’t believe the transformation that is going on, the building
and construction, talk of the main street upgrade, the school roll growing requiring development with new classrooms - and of course the
number of events like Buffalo Week that generate interest. As one
person said last week, “Whitianga is like a garden bursting into life”.
Can’t argue with that!
Buffalo Week
Firstly a big thanks to all the volunteers and helpers who help put together
the week of events around the Buffalo Celebration. A really cool week with
lots to do and a lot learnt about the wreck in the Bay. It represented a great
dry run for the Cook Celebrations coming up in 2019, which will be huge.
Waterways was involved with the events on Saturday and we would just
like to make mention of those businesses that assisted - Coromandel FM,
Fun Zone, The Lost Spring, Paper Plus, New World and The Informer.
It’s great that these businesses came on board with these community
events. Of course there were a lot of other businesses too that got in behind
the week-long celebration.
Another hugely successful event was The Shipwrecked Ball on Saturday
night. To the team at RnR Events, an awesome night, great set up and well
done. Thanks for being a part of the Buffalo Celebration.
Development
Hopper Construction (HCL) continues to make good progress.
The excavation on the west side of the island is very close to completion. We
have moved a huge amount of sand, making way for the canal. In mid-August
the stonemasons will be back to construct the canal wall with their team.
This will take them longer than a month and they will utilise rock from
the Tairua quarry. This is always a fascinating time watching these guys
construct the wall effectively with their bare hands.
Please note the area is a construction zone and access is not allowed. If you
want to go for a look, make contact with the office and it can be arranged.
HCL is also working over on the old State Highway, installing a sewer line
to the new stage. This has involved some dewatering, which has meant
pumps have had to run more than we would have liked and we apologise
for any inconvenience this may have caused to local residents.
Concert
The promoters of the summer concert were in town last week and all is
looking good for Anniversary Weekend next year. Tickets are selling well
and we can expect a huge crowd.
Construction
The sound of nail guns continue to ring out as more homes spring up.
The building activity is a huge positive for town and judging by the amount
of plans and permits in the system, looks sure to be humming for sometime
into the future.
Our sales office is open 7 days,
Weekdays 9:00am - 4:00pm and Saturdays and Sundays 10:00am - 2:00pm.
For further information please do not hesitate to contact our sales office on 07 866 0164.
Email - whitiangawaterways@xtra.co.nz Website - www.whitiangawaterways.co.nz
Page 17
UK Style Crossword
© Lovatts Puzzles
UK Puzzle 649
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Tel no: __________________________________________________________________
Win a $6 Big Wednesday ticket. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry to
The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or
info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each week. The winner must please claim
his/her prize from the New World check out manager directly before the Wednesday of the week
following the issue in which he/she was announced the winner.
T HE O DD J OB M AN
ACROSS
1.
5.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
13.
14.
18.
21.
22.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
Rotate
Rain heavily
Denim trousers
Canned fish
Hindu exercise routine
Having three dimensions
Contaminate
Cranium
Merriment
Was deficient in
Graze crust
Beverage vessel
Foot joint
Make dirty
Cylinder
Canine skin disease
Small vipers
Tax on goods
DOWN
1. Disembowelling
2. Humble (oneself)
3. Remove (DVD) from
player
4. Weightlifting rod
5. Clairvoyant
6. Improve in quality
12. Purring animal
15. Moors
16. Preserves (corpse)
17. Pulling sharply
19. Snacked
20. Drain
22. Native American tent
23. Room beneath a roof
GARY VINCENT
No job too small.
oddjobman@slingshot.co.nz
07 866 0059
021 1466 074
Peninsula Home Kills
SERVING THE WHOLE PENINSULA - 2011
Processing beef, sheep,
pigs & all game
Top quality
sausages, bacon,
ham & salami
g
Knife sharpenin
.
le
b
service availa
Phone Nick Burcombe
866 3970 or 021 2125 260
21 Rangihau Road, Coroglen
Last week’s solution
Last week’s winner - Claire Hyder
Page 18
Community Patrol Report
With Laurie Johnston - Chairman of the Mercury Bay Community Patrol
The area has been busy this last month.
Mercury Bay Area Bay School held its
annual ball and once again the organisers
and participants should be congratulated for
the excellent way our younger generation
conducted themselves. There was a bit of
noise at one of the after ball functions, but
that is to be expected. Well done everyone.
The Shipwreck Ball held the weekend
before last week ran very well, some strange
looking people wandering the streets that
night.
One of our patrols had to wake a resident
during the night last month. He had left his
garage door open for all to see or take. He
was very grumpy until he saw it was us trying
to help and then asked us to close it for him.
We have been asked to attend a roadshow in
Hamilton later this month. It’s basically being
run by the Police and will update us on the
latest initiatives the Police are using to reduce
World record tuna
weighed in Whitianga
crime and what our involvement will be.
All of the Waikato community patrols (now a
total of 15) have been invited.
The month was marred, though, with
the loss of one of our founder patrol
members, who was also our most senior
member in years of age. Marie Goldsbro
passed away suddenly and unexpected.
We shall miss her. She was always
available at any time of the day to help out.
If we got a call through the night from the
Police to assist with a situation, we could
always rely on Marie getting out of her warm
bed and helping. In the days when we stayed
with the Auckland and Coromandel Rescue
Helicopter all night before their hangar was
built, there were many times Marie was one
of the team.
Well done and thank you Marie, the town
will miss you.
19 February this year is a day Auckland’s Donna Pascoe will never forget - the day she hooked
and landed a 411.6kg Pacific bluefin tuna in the waters off Cape Reinga. Undisputedly a
world record.
And on Monday this week it was time for another possible world record, this time a southern
bluefin tuna Donna caught with 60kg tackle east of Great Barrier Island.
It was Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club’s weighmaster Allory Whiteman’s privilege to weigh the
80.54kg fish in front of a crowd of more than 100 people who gathered at Whitianga Wharf to
welcome Donna, the crew of the vessel Gladiator and, of course, Donna’s record-breaking fish
to Whitianga.
It’s only the second time ever, and the first time since 1967, the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club
has weighed a southern bluefin tuna. The record is now pending, awaiting verification.
Pictured is Donna with her catch.
PENINSULA
NAIL GUN
SERVICING
Ph Ian Sloane
866 4235
027 7263 797
H O U S E WA S H I N G
Call Drew for a free quote
The Expert with the time tested and guaranteed method of removing mould,
lichen, moss and stains. In fact any exterior surface that needs a clean, Drew can
deal to with a harmless but totally effective wash. And remember a pre-paint wash
will extend the life of your paint job and make painting easier.
Buildings. Boats. Fences. Wood. Concrete. Metal.
Call Drew Edwards - The Chemwash Man
Mobile: 0274 375 578 a/h 07 867 8493
Page 19
3
5
1 49
7
8
6
2
Fishing Report With Alan Proctor
Sudoku
Sponsored by H&M Pascoe Tel 0274 852 046
Sudoku Puzzle 649
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Tel no: __________________________________________________________________
Fill in the boxes using the numbers 1 to 9. Every row and column, and every group of nine boxes
inside the thick lines, must contain each number only once. Deliver or mail or scan and email
your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga
or info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each week. The weekly prize is one
free DVD rental from Civic Video, Whitianga. The winner must please claim his/her prize from Civic
Video directly.
Once again we have endured another
week with very little fishing effort due to
a poor weather forecast.
With the extremes we have had wind, rain and cool temperatures at times,
this poor weather seems to have become
the focus.
There are a few though that would
rightfully argue that there have been quite
a few good weather windows amongst
this and these guys are still able to get out
deep enough to catch snapper and the odd
hapuku on a fairly regular basis.
Most action appears to have been
around Korapuki, Stanley and Red Merc,
with vessels often using the islands for
some relief from the wind. Kahawai
are reasonably plentiful too, with many
of them a lot closer to shore,
chasing their prey.
Several uncommon visitors to the
Bay recently have included seals, killer
whales (orca), dolphins and there was
also a wild pig swimming off Brophy’s
beach for some time last week.
When the hapless pig finally made
land fall further along Buffalo Beach,
it successfully dodged the welcoming
party who managed to get fairly wet
themselves, before high-tailing it back to
a less conspicuous patch somewhere in
the bush.
One other uncommon visitor this week
was a southern bluefin tuna which was
caught by Donna Pascoe, fishing aboard
Gladiator. The fish weighed 80.54kg and
is now a pending New Zealand and world
record. This is only the second bluefin
tuna to be weighed by our club, the last
one having been weighed back in 1967.
Some of the kahawai that are being
caught are much larger fish that have
been following the whitebait which are
now heading up all the various streams
and rivers. With the whitebait season
starting this Saturday we can look
forward to seeing some of this delicacy
around and many are hoping for a repeat
of last season’s bumper harvest.
In just a few weeks, on 1 September,
the recreational scallop season kicks off
and these guys will be looking forward
to diving into 13 degree water for these
juicy morsels and praying they retain the
excellent
condition
they have
at
the
moment.
Tight lines,
Alan
Last week’s winner - Dave Morse
5 Monk Street, Whitianga
Keeping you on the water
Office Ph: 07 8671087
Email: info@plannersplus.co.nz
Open 6 days - SALES SERVICES & REPAIRS Ph 07 867 1280
David: 027 4994833
Tracey: 027 4907988
See us for all your land development,
planning and resource consent requirements.
www.plannersplus.co.nz
The one stop shop for all your boating needs.
Located at 14 Moewai Road Whitianga (Out by the Airport)
Deals on now... Sounders, Fish Finders and New Outboard Engines
*Ask us about Mercury Finance
“We know marine and we know great deals”
Mobility equipment available for locals or visitors.
Walking frames, crutches, walking sticks and mobility scooters
Phone Roger on 07 867 1986 for more information
Page 20
Sport Results
MERCURY BAY AREA SCHOOL JUNIOR CROSS COUNTRY
Wednesday 5 August
A great day for the 2015 MBAS Junior Cross Country.
We had a new venue this year, the Mercury Bay Multisport
Park. The venue turned out to be perfect as the course was
easy to follow and had plenty of vantage points for parents
to watch. The event was “event-managed” by MBAS
teacher Finn Battaerd's two outdoor education classes
and they did a fantastic job. It was really great to see the
outdoor education students running a seamless event.
The junior students had a great time all round!
Results (first six go to Thames Valley Cross Country which
will be held on 26 August at the same venue) 8 Year Old Girls - 1 Drew Casey, 2 Eden Boyd, 3 Jasmine
Rhodes, 4 Ella Scott, 5 Kiraya Winter, 6 Andaria Bainbridge,
7 Anne Ngov, 8 Mika Renner.
8 Year Old Boys - 1 Cody Scott, 2 Josh Markowski,
3 Zac Sloss, 4 Mark Johnston, 5 Marlon Ross, 6 Theo van
der Putten, 7 Kiel Laker, 8 Daniel Revel.
9 Year Old Girls - 1 Macy Costello, 2 Francie Lidgard,
3 Alexis Sloss, 4 Madison Bird, 5 Georgia Major,
6 Milly Lamason, 7 Meg Hoyland, 8 Maya Williscroft.
9 Year Old Boys - 1 Jacob Corley, 2 Bryn Corley,
3 Iori Clarkson, 4 Colville Green, 5 Jack Williams,
6 Pete Calleson, 7 Kenzo Griffiths, 8 Tyler Assink.
10 Year Old Girls - 1 Jazlyn Sloane, 2 Sally Mills,
3 Trinity Holmes, 4 Jemma Mills, 5 Jade Lowe,
6 Harper Sanders, 7 Ashley Cox, 8 Layla Vickers.
10 Year Old Boys - 1 Taylor Wollburg, 2 Jakub Markowski,
3 Rupert Neilson, 4 Michael Armour, 5 Dylan Fitzsimons,
6 Adam Clague, 7 Rory Springer, 8 Dylan Glazer.
11 Year Old Girls - 1 Tiana Tiro, 2 Jasmine McCleery,
3 Olivia Stewart, 4 Louisa Murie, 5 Jasmine Luff,
6 Aaria Reed, 7 Mira Hale, 8 Petra Campbell.
11 Year Old Boys - 1 JJ Twemlow, 2 Seabastian Ross,
3 Nikale Goddard, 4 Max Davenhill 5 Jackson Thompson,
6 Tristan Nash, 7 Toby Dawson, 8 Jared Presland.
12 Year Old Girls - 1 Zoe Smith, 2 Kelly Evanson,
3 Tiela Rudolph, 4 Olivia Brown-Douglas, 5 Lily Rees,
6 Darrion Major, 7 Libby Barrett, 8 Juliet Lidgard.
12 Year Old Boys - 1 Taine Mason, 2 Alexander
Neilson, 3 Woody Teacy, 4 Cole Brewster, 5 Jake Teacy,
6 Rory Trebes, 7 Kodi Bale, 8 Ren Tsumura.
TE RERENGA SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
Thursday 6 August
It was the first time in many years that the event was held
The first five in the 10-year-old boys cross country race of MBAS that was held on
Tuesday last week. From left to right - Taylor Wollburg, Jacub Markowski,
Rupert Nielsen, Michael Armour and Dylan Fitzsimons.
outside the school grounds - at the “Sonny Acre’s” farm,
down the road from the school. It was a course filled with
a few obstacles… lots of mud and puddles!
Results (order of girl, then boy) New Entrants, Year 1 and 2 - 1 Ella Simpson,
Dylan Grice, 2 Kyla Wharenui, Ari Forsyth, 3 Sienna James,
Travis Hudig-Thompson.
Year 3 and 4 - 1 Chloe Adams, Seth Smith, 2 Stina FrankeTowgood, Rico Simpson, 3 Ella Edkins, Flynn Simpson.
Year 5-8 - 1 Sheridan O’Keeffe, Jac Forsyth, 2 Beth
Simpson, Danyl Hudig-Thompson, 3 Isobel Mikkelsen,
Donald Holzgang.
MERCURY BAY FOOTBALL CLUB
Saturday 8 August
11th Grade - The team played the Whenuakite Endeavours
and won both games, 6-0 and 7-0. Players of the Day
were Tristan Nash and Michael Armour.
13th Grade - The team played Hauraki Plains Falcons four
20 minute games to catch up on some cancelled games
from earlier in the season.
The first game was a 1-0 win, then two 0-0 draws and
finally a 3-1 win for us. Players of the Day were Connor
Tainsh and Ren Tsumura.
Senior Girls (report by Shannon Trebes) - The Mercury
Bay Senior Girls football team went to Morrinsville to face
strong winds, a pitch on a hill, and mud, lots of mud,
but the main threat was still the Morrinsville College girls.
At kick off the Bay had 10 players and played into the wind
and up the hill. Mercury Bay held the possession using
strong passes and great dribbling, but could not convert
this play into goals. The first score came from a long shot
by Shannon Trebes and went over the keeper’s head,
then ducked down into the net. Halftime score 1-0.
In the second half the Bay had the wind from behind
and a downhill slope, although this didn’t help much.
Mercury Bay had all the possession and multiple shots
on target, miss, miss, miss. But all this hard work and
determination finally paid off when Taylor Martin-Free
scored off an accurate cross from Shaan Wilson’s boot.
The rest of the game was played along the same line of
all possession but no goals. A great effort considering
having only 10 players to their 11 players plus reserves,
final score 2-0.
This was all available through the help of our sponsors
Mercury Bay Pharmacy, Mercury Bay Lionesses, Dino’s
Pizza and the Mana-Nui Motel.
The Te Rerenga School new entrants and Year 1 and 2 students lining up for their
cross country race on Thursday last week.
(Continued on page 23)
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Page 21
Everyman Cryptic Crossword
© The Observer
Observer Puzzle 649
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Tel no: __________________________________________________________________
Go in the draw to win a package of Mercury Bay delights (including restaurant, cafe and attraction
vouchers). Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer,
14 Monk Street, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by
6:00pm Monday each week. The winner will be drawn in July 2016 and will be notified by phone.
No correspondence will be entered into once the winner has been notified. Conditions apply.
Across
1
6
8
10
11
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
25
26
Broadcast omits a cub, extremely small (9)
Story reversed within eighty minutes (4)
Commercial cars and farm vehicles,
carbon-free? They’ll manage (14)
Annoying one in front of king and son in
capital city (7)
Crumbly crisp coating that is more
strongly flavoured (7)
Voice necessary to debate normally (5)
Post-Victorian dawn I read about (9)
Problem with fraud United Nations
beat (9)
Dreams ending in rubble in skips (5)
Deeds in parties lacking force (7)
Large alien with soft feathers? It’s a
disappointment (3-4)
Play new role in judo team (5,3,6)
Slip in small joke (4)
State perfect answer, suppressing wrong
ones (9)
Down
1 Analyst of data that’s roughly intact
as it is (12)
2 Yokel having impact on family (7)
3 Colour and energy in dance (5)
4 Soldier, using aromatic substance with
hesitation, receiving support (9)
5 Run into police group (5)
6 Parade involving endless trouble for
powerful woman (9)
7 Interim changes for stations (7)
9 Substantial artist holding positions popular
as singer and actor (5,7)
13 Recording’s first tune does sadly
deteriorate (3,2,4)
15 I’m drained, enthralled by upset today in
tennis tournament (9)
17 Overall employment system (7)
19 Volume is in poor, distressed condition (7)
21 Star initially followed by ardent crowd (5)
23 Clubs in genuine agreement to end
hostilities (5)
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8a Dakota Drive, Whitianga
Page 22
Sport Results
(Continued from page 21)
Player of the day went to Shaan Wilson and fair play was
received by Tia Ngarimu.
MERCURY BAY ARCHERY CLUB
Auckland District Archery Association Indoor
Championships - Saturday and Sunday 1 and 2 August
Members of the Mercury Bay Archery Club achieved
as follows - Josephine Martin - 3rd Masters Womens
Recurve, Karen Moffatt-McLeod - 1st Womens Longbow,
Mike Savage (dual Mercury Bay and Lakeview Member) 1st Mens Barebow and smashed the New Zealand record
by over 200 points!
The Archery New Zealand Indoor National Championships
will be held in Porirua in a week’s time - all three archers
are attending those too.
Karen Moffatt-McLeod has been selected by the New
Zealand Olympic Committee as team manager for the
Junior New Zealand Archery team that will participate in
the Youth Commonwealth Games to be held in Samoa in
September. She will appreciate ideas on raising funds as
she will have to pay personally to attend the event.
MERCURY BAY NETBALL CENTRE
Saturday 8 August
Year 4-6 - Aftershoxs 40 v Cheeky Coro Kids 1, Rebelz 17
v Firebirds 12, Thunderbird 19 v Firecats 9.
Year 7-8 - Black Magic 28 v Hot Shotz 15, Sapphires 27
v Ambush 21, Slammers 55 v The Pigtails 28.
Collegiate - All Stars 37 v Wild Cats 25, Balls of Destiny 49
v Legacies 36, Little Reds 56 v Eclipse 12.
Seniors - Senior A 41 v Mavericks 34.
MERCURY BAY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Men’s Golf - Saturday 8 August
The final round of the Winter Cup was completed, after a
gruelling five rounds through heavy conditions.
The best three Stableford rounds counted and the winner
was Carl Mitchell with 123 points, consisting of 44, 41
and 38. His long hitting a big asset in the conditions.
Second was Roger Booth with 119 points, 44,38 and 37.
Third equal was Wayne Malcolm and Alan Henderson with
117. Carl was also the winner of the daily Stableford with
Carl Mitchell (left), winner of the Mercury Bay Golf & Country Club’s Winter Cup,
receiving his trophy from club captain Murray Bennett.
41 points. Second was Wayne Malcolm on 39, followed
by Alan Henderson and Keven Clark on 38 and Graham
Eccles and Ken George on 35.
Alan Henderson scored the only two of the day. Longest
Drive (Senior) - Roger Booth, (Junior) - Paul Lupton.
Nearest the Pin (Senior) - Craig Hill.
TAIRUA COUNTRY CLUB
Drawn Pairs/Best Stableford - Thursday 30 July
Results - G Cambie/L Brookes 50, N Hoskin/K Crossman
46, B Crawford/G McClelland 44, B Fellows/M McCann
43. Twos - B Crawford, M Towers, B Wickham, S Norton,
Hidden Holes - G Cambie/L Brookes, Nearest the Pin B Crawford.
Stableford - Saturday 1 August
Results - B Crawford 38, G Cambie 36, M Towers 35,
C Collier 34, B Fellows 34.
Twos - B Crawford, Hidden Holes - G McClelland, Nearest
the Pin - B Fellows.
Ladies’ Golf - Tuesday 4 August
The 18-hole players played the fourth LGU, spoons and
a shootout.
Results - Larraine Brooks 58, Marilyne McCabe 69,
Bev Wickham 73, c/b Robyn Hayward 73, Lisa Radford 75.
Top Cats - Robyn Hayward and Lisa Radford.
Twos - Robyn Hayward (2) and Maryline McCabe.
The 9-hole players played a net round.
Results - Bev Waterman 33, Jill Shanley 34, Bronwyne
Boverlander 36, Pamela Campbell 37, c/b Shirley Fellows
37, c/b Raye Phillips 37.
Par - Saturday 8 August
Results - D Morrison +2, A Morrison +1, F Watts, B
Fellows, W Rogers all square.
Twos - B Fellows, B Crawford, W Rogers, G Cambie,
Hidden Holes - D Morrison. Nearest the Pin - M Towers.
MERCURY BAY INDOOR BOWLING CLUB
Men’s Singles - Thursday 6 August
Six men played four games of 12 ends, playing for the
Worden Cup. At the end of play the winner was Alan
Henderson with three wins and one draw (7pts/30ends).
The runner-up was Rae Jensen with three wins
(6pts/29ends). Congratulations to Rae and to Alan,
who retains the title from last season.
TAIRUA INDOOR BOWLING CLUB
Monday 3 August
A roll-up evening of bowls.
Three mats were required, with each team playing three
games of good competitive bowls.
Winners - Mal Burrows, Perrine Busby and Barry Spinley.
Runners-Up - Bruce Crawford, Beryl Burrows, Jan Spinley
and Johnny Morrison.
Chocolate Fish Award - Joan Smith, Carol Thompson,
Shirley Pederson and Faye Henderson.
Raffles - Beryl Burrows, Celia Morrison, Ken Lowe,
Peter Carverhill and Ray Bruce.
COOKS BEACH INDOOR BOWLING CLUB
Fours Championship 2015 - Wednesday 5 August
Four teams competed with two teams qualifying.
The final was between Phil Costello, Tom Riddle,
Lois MacDonald and June Littin and Selwyn Warren,
Buck Prendergast, Meryll Hawke and Roy McAuley.
Congratulations to Phil, Tom, Lois and June - our 2015
Fours Champions.
HAHEI BRIDGE CLUB
Purangi Pairs - Tuesday 4 August
North/South - 1 Bill Cummings and Ernie Pitchfork 61.79,
2 Alva Gibson and Dave Dylla 57.50, 3 equal Peter France
and Anne Knowles and Philip Shewell and Sue Gill 47.14.
East/West - 1 Mary Masters and Jean Myles 57.08,
2 Susan Patterson and Chris Ellett 55.42, 3 Annette
Cummings and Maureen France 55.00.
MERCURY BAY CONTRACT BRIDGE CLUB
Winter Competition Round 3 - Wednesday 5 August
North/South - 1 Colin McAnnalley and David Dylla
56.77, 2 Sue Gill and Bob Schibli 56.25, 3 Martin and Val
Lewis 53.13.
East/West - 1 Ernie Pitchfork and Doreen Harris 60,
2 Jenny Layton and Anne Knowles 55.63, 3 Lynn Mitchell
and Faye Smith 51.25.
MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER
Wednesday 5 August
Best of 3 frames
Evan Hayward up from Taupo has two straight wins and
takes home the meat. Ian Baumgran has two wins also,
(Continued on page 24)
Brain Teaser - Red Herrings
© Lovatts Puzzles
Brain Teaser Puzzle 649
Win a coffee and a muffin from Espy Cafe in Whitianga. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email
your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or
info@theinformer.co.nz to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each week. The winner must please claim
his/her prize from Espy Cafe directly before the Wednesday of the week following the issue in which
he/she was announced the winner.
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Tel no: __________________________________________________________________
Last week’s solution - Binary Puzzle
Answers
1__________________________
2__________________________
3__________________________
4__________________________
5__________________________
6__________________________
7__________________________
8__________________________
Last week’s winner - Nigel Clifford
Page 23
Sport Results
(Continued from page 23)
but had lost his first game.
Highest Break - Wayne Bellingham.
MERCURY BAY JUNIOR RUGBY
Saturday 8 August
9th Grade Gold - It was finals day and the team played
against Te Aroha at Boyd Park in Te Aroha.
The game started well with our team over the try line
twice. Te Aroha retaliated with their first try making it 10-5
at half time.
The pressure was on in the second half and although
we saw a lot of possession and some great hard driving,
Te Aroha's defence was good and there was a lot of
turnaround ball. This was the toughest game all season
and this reflected in the final score. A couple of runaway
tries was all that was in it and Te Aroha took the game,
25-15.
Our boys never gave up, and kept the gas on right up until
the final whistle blew. How proud are we!
We didn't win the final but we have had a fun, fantastic
season and the team are developing and improving their
skills each year.
A huge thank you to a few people and businesses. Firstly, to
our sponsors - Toni Gordon for the oranges, Placemakers,
Coast 2 Coast Scaffolding and Anchor Milk. Secondly,
to our parents and supporters, who came each week rain, hail or shine - to cheer their kids on. And finally a
huge heartfelt thank you to our coaches, Garth and Scotty,
who dedicate their time and energy to our boys each
week for months, teaching them about the game of rugby,
sportsmanship and camaraderie and what it is to be part
of a team. You guys are awesome! One thing is for certain,
we will all be back next year, same time same place, see
you then, can't wait!
8th Grade - The team took on Te Aroha in the final in Te
Aroha.
In the first half we held strong and kept the score even
at two tries each. The boys showed great defence and
attacking skills and the hard work our coaches put in over
the season shined through. The second half saw a firedup and hungry Te Aroha team on the field that caught our
boys off guard. Final score 35-10. Congratulations to the
Bay for a great season of entertaining rugby.
MERCURY BAY SECONDARY SCHOOL RUGBY
Saturday 8 August
4th Grade - It was the last game of the season up against
Waihi at Lyon Park in Whitianga. Everyone was looking
forward to a hard game of rugby and we felt the team
was up for it.
We started to arrive nice and early for a good warm up,
waiting for the rest of the team we were looking rather
short of players. We had to make some last minute
changes and put players in unknown positions, this did
not faze our boys and out they went to play.
Waihi scored the first try only minutes into the game.
This fired our boys up and they came back with a quick
try from Callum Walker. Mercury Bay was moving the
ball around and getting good gains in the back line,
with excellent support from our forwards. We were
turning over a lot of the opposition ball at scrum time,
which allowed the Bay to move up the field. Unfortunately
we missed some crucial tackles, which Waihi scored from.
We went into the half time break down 22-5.
The coaches told our boys to enjoy the last 35 minutes of
the 2015 season and that is what they did. Mercury Bay
held Waihi in their own half for most of the second half.
It was a very exciting game, with the Bay showing they
were very competitive against such a tough side. Great
support was shown by all players and special mention to
Tangaroa Lewis and Joe Reynolds for an awesome game.
Three tries were scored by the Bay in the second half by Harry Evans, Antonio Anderson and Trinity McQueen.
Well done boys it was an excellent effort and a great
end to our season. Thank you to our coaches and parent
supporters.
Player of the Day was Joe Reynolds and Achievement
Award went to Tangaroa Lewis.
Final score 37-20 to Waihi.
MBAS First XV (report by team manager Tony
Courtenay) - Semi-final time for the First XV. As Mercury
Bay was the fourth qualifier, we had the big ask of playing
Thames High School at Rhodes Park in Thames.
The first half was tight and both teams had chances.
Our boys had a stiff breeze in their backs, but couldn’t
take advantage of it. The first half ended with an 8-0 lead
to Thames.
The second half saw Thames coming out firing and using
the wind from behind to gain good advantage. Soon the
pressure from Thames took its toll and with injuries and
missed tackles by the Bay, the floodgates opened.
To our boys’ credit, they never gave up and finished
strongly, scoring the final try of the game.
The final score was 29-5 to Thames.
On behalf of the team, I would like to thank our loyal
supporters and our coaches Mike Smith and Peter
Davy. Also thank you to our sponsors - The Informer,
Snapper Jacks, The Warehouse and Peninsula Business
Services. The boys were proud representatives of Mercury
Bay Area School and Mercury Bay Rugby.
Halfback Trae Tane clearing the ball for the Mercury Bay Area School First XV in
their semi-final clash against Thames High School last Saturday.
Whitianga Tractors
& EQUIPMENT CENTRE
Sales
Repairs
Maintenance
TRACTORS & SMALL ENGINES
Dave and Karen
Phone 07 867 1046 a/hrs 0275 832 343
Email whitianga.tractors@gmail.com
Dakota Drive Whitianga
Your local Husqvarna dealer
Page 24
Classifieds and Public Notices
ART PROJECT
DEATH NOTICE
HUNTER - PATRICIA ANNE (PATSY)
Passed away peacefully at Whitianga on
Wednesday 5th August 2015.
Much loved partner of Mike English (Blink)
For over 40 years, and loved aunty, second mum,
mentor, friend and role model to all her nieces and
nephews and grandmother to all their children.
There will be a private cremation only.
Correspondence to 86 Cook Dr, Whitianga 3510
HOME-BASED CHILDCARE
IN MEMORIAM
TOY LIBRARY
WHITIANGA
TOY LIBRARY
Isabella Street (off Coghill St)
Open Tuesday 4pm - 5:30pm and
Friday 10am - 12.30pm.
New members welcome.
~Toys for Hire~
PUBLIC NOTICES
COROGLEN/GUMTOWN
HALL AGM
The Annual General Meeting
of the Hall
is to be held on
Tuesday 18 August
at 7:00pm.
All welcome to attend and help
preserve this community facility.
WHITIANGA
ART GROUP INC
AGM
The AGM of the
Whitianga Art Group will be held
at 1:00pm on
Thursday 27 August 2015 at the
Art Centre, School Road, Whitianga.
All are welcome to attend.
LEAH GAYE WELLS WILESMITH
2 October 1970 - 16 August 2006
Old friend a year’s gone
When you went to rest
We didn’t want to let you go
Cos you were one of the best
Lots of funny mad times
We had over the years
Sometimes when we think of them
It’s hard to fight back the tears
But then there’s always
Lots of laughter too
Oh my goodness Leah Gaye
How lucky are we
To have known you
Forever young
Is what you will always be
Forever you will stay with us
Our beautiful LeeLee
We Love you More
Joey, Deb & Ness
READINGS
In Person or Over the Phone.
Comprehensive and Accurate.
By Appointment.
PH: Twyla 021 125 3535.
MERCURY BAY
AMATEUR SWIMMING CLUB
AGM
To be held on
Thursday 27th August 2015 at
7:30pm at Ocean House Plans,
upstairs Natal Trust Building,
Albert Street, Whitianga
(opposite Chang Thai Restaurant).
All welcome.
TREE SERVICES
TREE SERVICE
Any tree work at all.
Free quotes.
Phone Jeremy on
(07) 866 0118.
PUBLIC NOTICES
RnR Events would like to thank the following for their support of
the Whitianga Charity Fundraiser: The SHIPWRECK Ball
For the big things:
Peninsula Party Hire
Whitianga Waterways
Treeman Trav
Peninsula Hire
The Informer
NZ Makeup Girl
Bobs Takeaways
Coastal Refrigeration
The Maclardy family
Placemakers
Coast 2 Coast Scaffolding
Endeavor Print
Vaughan Grigsby
Photography
Aotearoa Lodge
PowerHowse Generators
Mercury Bay Community
Events
For the yummy things:
Salt Bar & Restaurant
Chef Steven Towgood
Blue Ginger
Jandals Café
OPC
Manukau City Seafood
Blackbeard’s Smoke House
Liquor King
For the people power:
Gareth Edwards
Andrea Towgood
Livy Kathan
Paul Collier
Roger Newport
Sarah Mason
Steph McGoven
Amy Sammons
Tony Perkins
Lewis Ward
Damian Percival
Hot Water Beach Life Guards
For helping it look so good:
The Glasshouse
Eloise Green
Sue Costello
Flight Club Ballroom
Anthea Smith
Rustic Rose Florist
Graham Haywood
Whitianga Hotel
Wayne Forster
For the prizes:
Mosaic
Carters Building Supplies
Fagan’s
Espy Café
Rustic Rose Florist
rist
SITUATIONS VACANT
FULL TIME AND PART TIME POSITIONS
AVAILABLE AT EDEN CLINIC IN WHITIANGA
We are looking for both experienced and qualified
beauty and massage therapists to join our busy clinic.
Contact Libby on 022 076 0129.
CASUAL SKIPPER’S POSITION
Glass Bottom Boat Whitianga is looking for a casual skipper
to operate tours at least two days per week.
Applicants must have current skippers ticket, local knowledge of area, experience with large trailer boats,
great people skills, friendly and can work as part of a team, good reliable work ethic.
Please contact Mark on 022 414 5711 and
email CV and references to info@glassbottomboatwhitianga.co.nz.
WORK WANTED
MIKE’S MOWING
$25 empty sections, fortnightly
or monthly mowing.
Free edge spraying.
Free quotes.
Phone Mike or Deb
866 4678
or 027 320 1703.
FARRIER
2nd Hand Covers
HorseTransport
Saddlery
Cover Repairs
LAWN MOWING AND
RUBBISH REMOVALS
Reliable service.
Free quotes. Great price.
Phone Rebecca
021 064 7659
or 07 867 1586.
Ron Cooke
866 5984
027 498 4447
Tricky Trees
•
•
•
•
Pruning
Felling
Stump grinding
Firewood
Call Chris
And all those that attended and supported the event.
THE BESS HANDZ
EMBROIDERED MONOGRAMS
Alterations, repairs, zip and hem service.
Phone 866 5277.
•
•
•
•
Hedge maintenance
Crown reductions
Difficult removals
Chip waste to mulch
021 240 9909
Page 25
Classifieds and Public Notices
FOR SALE
HOME BREW SUPPLIES
Beer. Cider. Wine. Spirits.
Mercury Bay Pharmacy
HOUSE/PET SITTER
DRY
FIREWOOD
Pine, Gum, Cypress.
For prices and to order go
to www.trickytrees.co.nz
or phone Chris on
021 240 9909.
SEWING LESSONS
CATTERIES
KRISTIN’S
BOARDING CATTERY
Vet nurse, warm, clean,
secure, outdoor run.
Phone 866 4724.
Bella Cattery
5 Golf Road, Whitianga
Hours 8am-10am and 4pm-6pm
Inspections Welcome
Phone 07 866 5631
COURIER SERVICE
BLACK LEATHER CORNER
LOUNGE SUITE WITH RECLINER
AND CHAISE LOUNGE
$1,750, as new.
Phone 866 0980 or 027 231 6633.
BOATS WANTED
WE NEED
YOUR BOAT NOW!!!
Quality late model trailer boats
needed for sale on behalf!
We have buyers waiting!
Call the team at Whitianga Marine
Centre today on 867 1182
or come in to 233 South Highway,
Whitianga.
CHURCH SERVICES
ANGLICAN
SERVICES
SEWING LESSONS/SEWING SESSIONS
Want to learn to sew? Skills taught while making a useful item.
Want to improve your sewing skills? Sew with a teacher present, so help is at hand.
Want somewhere to complete your unfinished sewing projects
or start something new?
Come and sew with like minded people. Ten weeks of sewing.
Tuesday evenings 6 to 9pm. Sessions $15 - $20pp.
Phone Sandy Herbert 027 216 2267.
TO LET
STORAGE SHEDS available, various sizes, reasonable rates. Dry and secure.
Free furniture trailer available - conditions apply. Ph: 07 866 5147
STORAGE SHEDS Whitianga Total Storage opposite Carters. Ph: 0800 944 660
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & HOMES FOR RENT
“Our expertise in property management will ensure your
investment property is well looked after. You can just sit
back and relax. We also offer a selection of quality
rental homes for tenants.”
We welcome your enquiry at 7 The Esplanade (by the wharf).
Robyn Turner 866 0098 or 027 550 0120
robyn.turner@bayleys.co.nz
Licensed under the REAA2008
St. Peter the Fisherman
Dundas Street, Whitianga
Sunday Service: 9:30am
ALL WELCOME
HEALTH SERVICES
Enquiries Ph 869 5577
www.anglicanchurchwhitianga.co.nz
PENINSULAR MIDWIVES
Jocelyn Yates 027 9124104
Fiona Kington 021 743 717 or
07 866 0413
Free Pregnancy Tests.
FOR HIRE
HUGE BOUNCY CASTLE,
$100 on site. FREE BBQ and
playground facilities. Ph: 866 0038,
www.combatzone.co.nz
VEHICLES FOR SALE
Peninsula Marquee
and Party Hire
Don’t let winter put you off having
a PARTY, let us help:
Marquees, Gazebos
Patio Heaters, Fire Brazier
Tables, Bar Leaners, Chairs
Fairy Lighting and much much more.
www.partyhirewhitianga .co.nz
info@partyhirewhitianga.co.nz
07 866 5141
Facebook: Peninsula Marquee and Party Hire
Page 26
GARAGE SALES
08 Mitsubishi Fuso 4/6 berth M/Homes $84,900 02 Mazda Atenza Sport Hatch, auto $5,900
02 Toyota Corolla H/B, 5 spd, 148kms $5,900
06 Tandem Trailer, tyre rack, winch $7,600
SAT 15 AUGUST, 1B Tudor Close,
01 Toyota Hilux S/C flat deck, 3.0 $9,990
05 Toyota Corolla S/W, alloys, auto $5,900
Whitianga, 8:00am start. Everything
01 Ford Courier XLX C/Cab, canopy $7,900
04 BMW 320i sedan, auto, black $6,500
must go. Furniture, garden equipment,
99 Toyota Hiace Campervan, 2B $13,600
03 Toyota Corolla H/B, red, 1.8 $6,900
general household items. Good deals.
98 Toyota Harrier, 3.0, auto, towbar $5,900
03 Toyota Rav 4, auto, silver, towbar $9,990
Be in quick.
98 Mazda Demio, Auto, 5 dr, silver $3,600
03
Mazda
6
sedan,
auto,
grey
$8,500
SAT 15 AUGUST, 54B Cook Drive,
Whitianga, 8:00am. Bath, vanity, shower
19 Campbell Street, Whitianga www.coastalautos.co.nz
base, tools, kitchenware and more.
The club’s mana is back
By Stephan Bosman
Mercury Bay Premier Division team captain Kieran Ramage with his Player of the Year trophy.
Team coach Dwayne Mansell is on the left and Mercury Bay Rugby & Sports Club
president Eric Gaskell is in the centre.
Cody and Kelly Hamilton with Cody’s trophy as the year’s best backline player. The Mercury
Bay Rugby & Sports Club colours are yellow and black and the all-yellow suit Cody wore at
the prize-giving is evidence that if you search hard enough, you can find anything on TradeMe.
Last Friday evening my wife and I attended
the senior prize-giving of the Mercury Bay
Rugby & Sports Club.
And in case you wonder, we weren’t given
any tickets. We paid for ours. And at $15 per
person, it was a bargain. Not because of the
seriously good food that was on offer. Or the
fact that a few free drinks were available.
No, because the spirit we witnessed among
the club members were priceless.
During the course of the evening,
Mike Smith - Mercury Bay Area School
deputy principal - had to present the Jimmy
Smith Memorial Cup (donated by his father)
to the Club Administrator of the Year.
Prior to handing the cup to recipient Wayne
Smith (no relation, I understand), Mike made
a comment that’s still resonating with me,
“The club’s mana is back.”
In addition to Mike’s comment, there were a
few other highlights. One is Premier Division
team coach Dwayne Mansell becoming
emotional when he thanked his wife Hayley
for her support during the season. That left
absolutely no doubt that the club is made
up of volunteers that give everything they
have for the love of their town, their area
and the game of rugby. At the end of the day,
for coaches, administrators and players and in Mercury Bay none of them get paid it’s all about doing what they love and doing
it to the very best of their ability.
Another highlight was the few words
Premier Division team captain Kieran
Ramage said after he was announced Player
of the Year. He paid tribute to his father John,
who was also Player of the Year previously.
And he spoke about the way he felt when
Dwayne asked him to captain the team this
year. “I stopped at the Coroglen Pub where
I had a beer or two,” he said. “Then I went
to tell my dad. All my dad said was, ‘Just do
your best and the rest will follow.’”
And
the
rest
indeed
followed.
The McClinchy Cup (the highest honour any
Thames Valley rugby team can play for) had
pride of place in front of the stage.
And that was maybe the other highlight of
the evening. There’s a sense of a job half-done
among the players, coaches and managers.
They drew the final against Waihou this year.
Yes, the Mercury Bay name is now, finally,
on the McClinchy Cup, but next year they
want the name on the cup again. The only
thing is they want only Mercury Bay on
the cup.
When my wife and I left the prize-giving,
as we were walking to the car, I thought to
myself if I didn’t know what mana meant,
now I know. And I thought, clearly the
players, coaches and managers cannot wait
for the season next year. And, frankly, neither
can I. And I felt proud, extremely proud, to be
calling Mercury Bay home.
In addition to the Club Administrator of
the Year and Player of the Year, the following
awards were handed out during the evening Best Attendance - EdenMclean
Most Tries - Harley Hanning and
Cody Hamilton
Most Points - Beau Hamilton
Most Improved - Jesse Hewitt
Young Player of the Year - Tyler Relph
Most Promising Player - Chaz Stevenson
Team Spirit - Cody Muir
Managers Cup - the entire 2015 Premier
Division team
Players Player (determined according to a
points system) - Pedro Scardapane
Best Forward - Jarrad Hill
Best Back - Cody Hamilton
Supporter of the Year - John Ramage
Mike English Trophy for Best Club Spirit Dwayne Mansell
Page 27
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renovation or feature wall?
- Talk to the friendly experts at GB Whitianga for amazing colour advice....and
pick up your free test pot of Dulux during August
- One test pot per customer.
*Exclusions apply, see in store for details
Shop 1, 1 Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga
07 866 0035 sales@gbwhitianga.co.nz
www.facebook.com/guthriebowron
Make Short Work
of it!
A local looking after locals
for more than 20 years!
 Building Repairs and Maintenance
150729 INFORMER FREE Testpot 12/08/15 issue
 All Painting  Airless applications
(back 1/4 pg 119mm x 171mm)
 Waterblasting - paths, driveways & fences
 Window Cleaning  Pre-paint clean
 Drain unblocking  Total house wash
with enviro friendly detergent
 Insect spraying
 Roof Clean / Treatment Best by reputation
- guaranteed
 Commercial  Residential
Phone Russell Short: 07 866 2097 or 027 360 2937
0800 CAR DUMP
GOT a DEAD or ALIVE VEHICLE
$ $ $
cash
paid
Pickup
Peninsula
wide
0800 227 3867
Second Hand Tyres, Mags, Lights, Radio’s
& parts FOR SALE

649 12 August 2015 Week 2.indd

Transcription

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